Irish Champions Weekend has been launched in the British market with a promotional presence at the Chester May and York Dante Festivals.
The drive is part of a strategy to target UK punters, capitalising on a large and enthusiastic flat race following. The team comprises Horse Racing Ireland, Leopardstown, and the Curragh Racecourse, in a joint venture.
HRI’s Racecourse Marketing Support Manager Jane Davis, who fronted the on-course marketing group, said: “We’ve had a fantastic reaction from British racegoers who are intrigued by the opportunity to experience two great meetings at two of Ireland’s best-known racecourses. Our tour operators are already taking bookings and are delighted with the value on offer in Ireland. Chester and York have been superb in the support and promotional opportunities they have given us.”
The meeting is Ireland’s newest racing event – bringing together two iconic Irish races, the QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes and the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger, at Leopardstown and the Curragh on September 13th and 14th. The weekend prize fund is worth over €3.7 million (£3m) and features ten Group races including five Group 1s.